Resolution on the Conflict in the Middle East

Adopted by the
NCC General Assembly, Nov. 6, 2003

Whereas, the General Assembly of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, meeting at a time of continuing violent confrontation in the Middle East with the breakdown of the Israeli - Palestinian peace process, witnesses with deep distress the building of the Separation Wall by Israel;

Whereas, we note that the Wall is resulting in the de facto imprisonment of the Palestinian population, the denial of access by Palestinians to emergency services, health care, food, employment, schools and water resources, the curtailment of freedom of movement among the Palestinian people, and the exacerbation of suffering;

Whereas, the Wall violates international law and eliminates hope for a peaceful resolution of the Middle East conflict;

Whereas, we, as people of faith, are deeply troubled by the systematic violence against Palestinians, and equally troubled by bombing campaigns against Israelis;

Whereas, the National Council of the Churches of Christ USA has historically called for the breaking down of walls of division, based on our faith that "Now in Christ Jesus, he has broken down the dividing wall that is the hostility between us” (Eph. 2:14);

Therefore, be it resolved that the General Assembly of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, meeting in Jackson, Mississippi, November 4-6, 2003, calls for the tearing down of the Separation Wall that is now being erected;

And be it resolved that the General Assembly offers its prayers for the well being of all people in the region, including our Christian sisters and brothers whose presence in the Holy Land continues to decline in the midst of this violence;

And be it resolved that the General Assembly reiterates its long-standing support for the establishment of a Palestinian State alongside the State of Israel, and its call for the preservation of the City of Jerusalem as an open, shared city where free access to holy places and freedom of worship are assured for people of all faiths;

And be it resolved that the General Assembly calls upon its member churches to send delegations of solidarity to the Middle East as an expression of their compassion for the people of the region;

And be it resolved that the General Assembly encourages its member churches and their delegates and others attending this General Assembly to join with other United States organizations who have designated November 9, 2003, as a day to express opposition to the Separation Wall, and to convey to United States public policy-makers their concern for peace with justice and reconciliation in the Middle East.